European Anti-Fraud Office to extend cooperation with Moldovan institutions

Chisinau, 26 October /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Valeriu Strelet today had a meeting with Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) Giovanni Kessler, the government's communication and media relations department has reported.   

The prime minister said the prevention and fighting fraud, including corruption and contraband, continued to be in the focus of the Moldovan cabinet. Valeriu Strelet stressed that the provisions of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement represented, in continuation, the main framework for the Moldova-EU cooperation in this sector. 

Strelet referred to strategic aspects and recent initiatives in this area, such as the re-setting of the anti-corruption system and promotion of the concerned legal framework. The prime minister thanked OLAF for its contribution to the enforcement of these initiatives.   

For his part, Giovanni Kessler welcomed the positive dynamic of the cooperation between the Moldovan authorities and the Office, highlighting the collaboration with the Moldovan Customs Service. At the same time, the European official confirmed that his institution had ruled to extend the cooperation with Moldovan institutions. 

Thus, the sides discussed priorities of collaboration between OLAF and the National Anti-Corruption Centre, under the agreed on accord, as well as prospects for deepening the relations with other competent institutions from Moldova. 

The European Anti-Fraud Office is part of the European Commission and its mission is to protect the financial interests of the European Union by investigating fraud, corruption and other illegal activities. The Office backs the EU institutions, in particular, the European Commission, in developing and enforcing the legislation and policies of fighting fraud. It also contributes to efforts made by EU institutions to guarantee the most efficient use of the European financial funds. 

(Editor L. Alcaza)